SENATOR Mobina Jaffer received the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of North America’s Pioneer Award at a virtual gala on June 26.
SABA North America presents annual awards recognizing outstanding member contributions at its yearly conference celebration.
The SABA North America Pioneer Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated professional excellence and true innovation in the practice of law. Pioneers are individuals who venture into unknown or unclaimed territory or who are open to new areas of thought. The candidate must be a Pioneer in their legal field or industry and have demonstrated dedication and service towards the profession or to SABA North America’s goals and objectives. The goals and objectives include: promoting the professional development of the South Asian legal community through networking, education, advocacy and mentoring; ensuring the civil liberties of the South Asian community; serving the legal interests of the South Asian community and the community at large; and encouraging greater participation by the South Asian community in the legal profession and the government.
Jaffer represents the province of British Columbia in the Senate of Canada. Appointed to the Senate on June 13, 2001, by then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, she is the first Muslim senator, the first African-born senator, and the first senator of South Asian descent. After spending almost a decade with the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, Jaffer had the opportunity to chair a number of studies including one on the sexual exploitation of children in Canada and the need for national action.
Past Winners
2019 – Yasir Naqvi
2018 – Madam Justice Ritu Khullar
2017 – Neal Katyal
2016 – Justice Russell Juriansz
2015 – Vanita Gupta
2014 – Deepa Iyer
2013 – Judge Sri Srinivasan
2012 – Preeta Bansal
2011 – Rich Verma
2010 – Judge Amul R. Thapar
2009 – Judge Wally Oppal
2008 – Vivek Hansraj Maru
2007 – Preet Bharara